“Ki wo Kubaru” is often translated as “to pass out ki” or “to give ki.” Another way to say it is to be attentive to other people’s wishes or needs. This seems to apply well to Aikido and to life.
Ukes tell you what they want and where they wish to go. We just need to listen and get out of the way. Funny how everything keeps coming back to the other person and not fighting, dissenting, arguing, etc. I thought this was a martial art after all. If I want to throw somebody I have to bend them to my will, if my Ki is strong I can make them do what I want and complete the throw,etc. If the throw doesn’t work I must be doing something wrong, or it is impractical, a teaching tool not a real art for throwing people. Man, did I really believe this, I had to learn this lesson over and over again.